If you have never looked at a map of
Israel, you should. Have your Bible in one hand and
look for a number of the cities and towns that the
Bible mentions – for example, Nazareth, Bethlehem
and Jerusalem.

Now ask
yourself, where did these names come from? Do these
places have anything to do with the Jewish people?
If you are wondering why I am asking these simple
questions, I have a reason. Did you know there’s a
trend in the world today to wipe Israel off the map
and replace Israel with a Palestinian nation?

Consider the
following article titled “UN Ceremony Includes Map
of ‘Palestine’ In Place of Israel” published
December 9, 2005. Here is how it begins:

The United Nations held a "Day of
Solidarity with the Palestinian People" last week. A
large map of “Palestine,” with Israel literally
wiped off the map, featured prominently in the
festivities. The ceremony was held at the UN
headquarters in New York and was attended by
Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Presidents of
the UN Security Council and the General Assembly.
[1]

Now, you should
have picked up the significance as you read this
statement. A meeting that was held at the United
Nations, attended by the Secretary General of the
United Nations to honor the Palestinian people,
displayed a map of the Middle East - without Israel
on the map.

But that is not
all. There is more to indicate that UN officials
knew exactly what they were doing. Quoting again
from the article:

With the map hanging behind him,
Secretary-General Annan addressed the public meeting
at UN Headquarters. At the start of the ceremony,
the dignitaries present asked attendees to observe a
moment of silence. “I invite everyone present to
rise and observe a minute of silence in memory of
all those who have given their lives for the cause
of the Palestinian people,” the master of ceremonies
said.
[2]

What was the
purpose of wiping Israel off the map? Is this the
direction the world is headed - a Middle East
without Israel?

Iran, Russia
and Israel

When I became a
Christian over 25 years ago, I remember hearing
Bible prophecy teachers talking about Iran, Israel
and Russia with reference to a war in the Middle
East. Now that these same countries are in the news
and the subject is war, few seem to be listening.

However, God’s
Word never changes. Sometimes God’s people do. This
is especially true when it comes to understanding
and proclaiming Bible prophecy. Have you noticed
Bible prophecy is rarely mentioned these days in
many churches – especially in the mega-churches that
promote church growth at the expense of teaching the
Bible. Apparently, the emphasis these days is on how
to enhance your purpose in the present rather than
be concerned about the imminent return of Jesus.

I am convinced
this is just another sign of the times. It seems the
closer we get to the return of Jesus, fewer and
fewer people will be prepared for His return.
Everyday there are more and more signs, but not all
that many are paying attention.

With regard to
Bible prophecy and war in the Middle East, the
prophet Ezekiel laid out a scenario we read about in
the Bible.
[3]
Some time in the future, in the latter days, the
prophet foresaw an attack on Israel by a number of
nations. The nations listed include the modern day
countries of Russia and Iran. While this alliance of
nations intends to destroy Israel, the Scriptures
tell us that God wipes them off the map instead.

Recently,
newspapers around the world have been reporting the
Iran-Russia-Israel situation almost every day. We
were also told that the president of Iran and
protesting Iranians wanted to eliminate Israel
altogether. As one article stated:

Tens of thousands of Iranians
took part in the rally in Tehran which Iran
organizes every year on the last Friday of
the fasting month of Ramadan to show
solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.
Shouting "Death to Israel, death to the
Zionists", the protesters dragged Israeli
flags along the ground and then set them on
fire. Many carried posters and placards
sporting the slogan "Israel should be wiped
off the map". [4]

Then, not long after, we were told
that Russia was supplying
Iran with expertise to develop nuclear power plants
and arms so Iran could “protect themselves” from
Israel.
[5]

Now, I appeal to all open-minded reasonable people
to ponder these events. First, Iranians and Iranian
leadership call for the annihilation of Israel.
Second, Russia promises to support Iranian
leadership and provide assistance for developing
nuclear technology and weapons of war for Iran’s
“protection” from Israel.

Doesn’t this scenario ring a “prophetic bell” in
your head? How much clearer would it have to be? The
current president of Iran has called for Israel to
be wiped off the map. Further, we documented that a
map recently displayed at the United Nations did
just that. Palestine was in the place of Israel.
There was no Israel in the Middle East.

Of course, these are man’s plans. However, we know
what God has told us in advance. Israel will
prevail. How do I know? Read what happens in the
Bible – Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.

Finally, there is one more confirmation I would like
you to consider. In Psalms 83 we are given further
insight regarding Israel’s enemies and God’s
deliverance:

Keep
not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be
not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a
tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the
head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy
people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They
have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being
a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in
remembrance. For they have consulted together with
one consent: they are confederate against thee.
[6]

Who
said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in
possession. O my God, make them like a wheel; as the
stubble before the wind. As the fire burneth a wood,
and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; So
persecute them with thy tempest, and make them
afraid with thy storm. Fill their faces with shame;
that they may seek thy name, O LORD. Let them be
confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be
put to shame, and perish.
[7]

Yes, the signs of the times line up with the
prophecies laid out in the Bible.

Understand The Times is an independent non-profit organization in
Canada and the United States.
Understand The
Times is not affiliated or dependent upon any other organization or
denomination.
Understand The Times is accountable to a board of directors in the
United States and Canada
and accountable,
first of all, to Jesus Christ and His
word.